Covid-19 - Vulnerable Highest Risk Patients (Shielding)

People in the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable Group (CEV) 

1st April 2022 Gov.uk have updated their guidance for people previoulsy considered clinically extremeley vulnerable from Covid-19

It states:-

Most people who were identified as CEV are now well protected after receiving their primary and booster vaccination doses. For most people who were CEV, you are no longer at substantially greater risk than the general population, and you are advised to follow the same guidance as everyone else on staying safe and preventing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), as well as any further advice you may have received from your doctor.

There is no longer separate guidance for people previously identified as CEV, although we recommend anyone with underlying health conditions takes care to avoid routine coughs, colds and other respiratory viruses.

4th April 2022 Gov.uk updated their guidance for those whose immune system means they are at higher risk. 

End of the shielding programme and managing the closure of the Shielded Patient List (SPL)

The Government set out in a Written Ministerial statement on 15th September, their decision to end the shielding programme. Patients will not be advised to shield in the future and a managed closure of the SPL will be taking place.

NHS Digital will retain the capability to identify high-risk patients in the future. Relevant patients will be written to directly to inform them of this change and support still available. You do not need to inform patients yourself.

Future changes to the COVID-19 risk status for patients in your care will no longer be captured on the national list.

NHSE have published the letter from DoHSC with information on the mangement of ending the SPL.